Confident businessman Joel Rhodes sees the small California town of Lavender Shores as nothing more than a business transaction and a final stepping-stone to the position he’s been working towards his entire life. It was supposed to be nothing more than one night in town to close the deal, and sleeping with one of the local men, no matter how gorgeous, meant nothing more than a few hours of fun.Andrew Kelly is perfectly content with the life he has in his hometown. So much so, that the only thing missing is someone to share it with. Going to bed with a tourist was never meant to be the answer to his dreams, just a beautiful distraction. He could get back to looking for Mr. Right the next day. Both Andrew and Joel’s worlds are turned upside down when a few hours of pleasure gets extended to a couple of days. Even that shouldn’t be a big deal. You can’t fall in love in such a short time, that isn’t how it works. However, if destinies collide, a few short days may be all it takes to find your soul mate. Even so, when secrets and motivations get tangled, destiny may do nothing more than leave two hearts in pieces.

Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Top customer reviews

Reader engagement with this story begins with the first sentence and there is absolutely no slowing, and no gratuitous conversation or encounters..Andrew, a local real estate agent member of a town founding family , is at a party for his brother's birthday when he is drawn to the extremely attractive business man sitting at the bar. The encouragement of his parents is a bit over the top so he waited until they left to return to see if the stranger was still there and if the attraction was indeed mutual.Joel is visiting Lavender Shores on business, his big attempt to prove his value to his father, that he is capable of running the family coffee empire. Not surprisingly, his father has assigned an almost impossible mission.The immediate attraction between Andrew and Joel, as painted by the author, was so stunning that the reader absorbs Andrew's emotion as he feels Joel's relief, "as though he'd been waiting for his return". Joel, confident businessman that he is, appears to have temporarily lost his air of self-assurance.The almost immediate encounter between Andrew and Joel, as well as those that follow, is reverent, passionate yet erotic as the men fit perfectly. The reader is so captured by the story that it becomes necessary to stop reading to take a deep breath, in a 'take a breath break'.It is possible and almost a guarantee that the reader will lose touch with the fact that this is a story and it isn't really happening to you!The relationship, as this seems more like a relationship and less like a hookup, faces several rather monumental barriers. The men agree that the feelings are more than they know how to absorb.Trouble lies ahead as Joel is less than honest with Andrew about his reason for being in Lavender Shore and Joel has no intention to live or be anywhere else. This is truly a beautiful love story with secrets, emotion and passion throughout!

4.5 Stars but rounded up because Rosalind (Brandon) made me cry both sad and happy tears! With a ridiculously romantic plot, mixed with seriously steamy sex and some dirty, dirty dialogue, this story was such a pleasure to read. Andrew Kelly was the quintessential small-town guy, who had no desire to live outside the idyllic town of Lavender Shores. Joel Rhodes was just supposed to be a one-night stand but by the next day, neither can deny their connection and chemistry.

I was pretty aggravated with Joel so many times in the story, as he tried very hard to find a way to keep his coffee and drink it too. Poor Andrew, so afraid to believe his dreams might come true but with no clue of what he was up against. I felt so much with both these characters. It was beautiful and sexy and heartbreaking by turns. I love it when I identify with characters so much that I do get tears when one is hurting and want to smack one for being so stupid and thoughtless.

I felt a bit of disconnect over the situation between Joel, his dad, and his mom. I think a little bit more history was needed there to really understand why Joel acted as he did. But it didn't make a difference to my enjoyment of the eventual outcome. I really liked Andrew with his strong personality, who knew how to stand up for himself and what he deserved. His dad and Regina were a hoot, inappropriate without being OTT, and added some great humor. Romance lovers, this is a book you don't want to miss.

The Palisade by Rosalind Abel is the first in a new series of Lavender Shores novels. This story focuses on Joel, the businessman from San Francisco and Andrew, the local real estate agent meet and what starts out as a simple hook up turns into something much more. The attraction is pretty much instantaneous for both of them and while it seems like they’re just destined to live happily ever after pretty much right from the start, Joel hasn’t been completely honest with Andrew, so there are some things that they need to work out before they can really be happy together. Joel especially has some work to do, but the love that he so desperately wants is worth fighting for, so there’s definitely an HEA at the end.

Good story, great writing and well-developed characters (including some awesome secondary characters like Andrew’s dad!) make this book a winner in my mind. I’m definitely looking forward to reading the next book in this series.

Welcome to Lavender Shores a small town in California. Where everyone knows everyone and all the business have Lavender in their name.Joel Rhodes comes to this small little town in hopes to open a chain of one of his dad's coffee houses! Anything to prove to his dad that he is more than capable of one day running the business. On his first night there he is attracted to a very cute and sexy man having dinner with what appears to be his family! With a few sexy glances they end up having one remarkable evening together.Andrew Kelly has always pictured himself settling down with a husband, few kids and some animals! Unfortunately, the men he meets don t seem to find Lavender Shores as homey as he does! For some reason that one night with Joel has all those feelings coming back.Now that he is spending more time with Joel showing him property listings the connection seems to be getting stronger even after he meets some of his family and friends! They all mean well but can be a bit much at times!Andrew can tell Joel wants there to be more but he senses something is holding him back!What a great story to introduce such amazing characters! You will love not only Joel and Andrew but the many characters that come along the way!!!

What an absolutely amazing, awesome, beautiful, heartwarming, captivating, and lovely romance this is! The author has painted a vivid tapestry of small town life with all its quirks, characters, flaws, and charm. Andrew and Joel are total opposites of each other, but they mesh together into one happy, passionate, and wonderful whole. Their HEA ending left me sighing with happiness, and this book is now at the top of my comfort read list. This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be my last. I look forward to many happy return visits to Lavender Shores.